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Benefits
are available to veterans discharged or separated from active
duty under conditions other than dishonorable who have completed
the required period of service, or U.S. Armed Forces members
who die on active duty. Spouses and dependent children of
eligible living and deceased veterans, and of current and
deceased armed forces members, may also be eligible.
Note:
The surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who remarried
a non-veteran prior to October 31, 1990, and whose remarriage
was terminated by death or divorce prior to or on that date
is eligible for burial in a national cemetery. A surviving
spouse of an eligible veteran who remarried a non-veteran
prior to October 31, 1990, and whose remarriage was intact
on or after that date, however, is not eligible for burial
in a national cemetery. A surviving spouse who remarries a
non-veteran after October 31, 1990, is not eligible for burial
in a national cemetery.
Burial
Grave in a National Cemetery
The
United States Government provides free burial in a National
Cemetery to all those eligible. This includes the gravesite,
opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care. Many
national cemeteries have columbaria niches for the inurnment
of cremated remains or special sections for burial of cremated
remains.
Headstones
and Markers
The
United States Government provides headstones and markers for
the graves of veterans and eligible dependents anywhere in
the world which are not already marked. Flat bronze, flat
granite, flat marble and upright marble types are available
to mark the grave of a veteran or dependent in the style consistent
with exiting monuments at the place of burial. Bronze niche
markers are also available to mark columbaria in national
cemeteries used for inurnment of cremated remains.(Some cemeteries
charge for marker installation.)
Burial
at Sea
Burial
at sea is not just a tradition that was practiced by the Navy
of old. It is a means of final disposition of cremains and
intact remains that is offered to and still utilized by active
duty, retired, and honorable veterans of all branches of the
United States military. Burial at sea services are performed
while the vessel is on official maneuvers. Therefore, it is
impossible for the family to be present. The family will be
notified by the commanding officer of that vessel of the date
time, longitude, and latitude of the committal service.
Individuals
eligible for this program are members of the uniformed services,
veterans discharged under honorable conditions, United States
civilian marine personnel of the Military Sealift Command,
and dependents of members, retirees, and veterans of the uniformed
services.
Ports
of Embarkation
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